Africa’s richest man and president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that his refinery is offering Nigerians “Greek gifts.”
Speaking on Monday during the first anniversary of gasoline production at the Dangote Refinery, Dangote rejected the union’s criticism.
“They said we gave Nigerians a Greek gift, why don’t you give the French one? Even if it’s a Greek gift, it means that it is a gift that will still be there all the time,” he said.
Dangote acknowledged that the refinery project has faced challenges since inception but maintained that its mission is to transform Nigeria’s downstream sector.
“Some believed we were taking food from their tables, which simply isn’t true. What we have done is to make our country and continent proud. Previously, only two African countries were not importing petrol, but regrettably, they have since resumed imports. This is detrimental to Africa,” he stated.
The business mogul recently announced reduced petrol pump prices across several states, alongside a new scheme to deploy compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks directly to filling stations. The initiative, according to him, is aimed at cutting logistics costs and stabilising fuel supply.
However, NUPENG has cautioned Nigerians against embracing the refinery’s new measures, alleging that the company is sidelining its members by pushing tanker drivers into the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) arm of the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
The union accused Dangote Refinery of attempting to weaken its influence in the downstream oil sector by dealing directly with rival transport groups. It further warned that such practices could spark industrial unrest and threatened to mobilise its members for strike action if the situation persists.
